Tough Battle to Replace Kylian at PSG – Star Player Deal OFF!
It is going to be a busy summer for PSG as they hunt for reinforcements for the brand-new season and try to make terms with Kylian Mbappe’s departure. Despite PSG winning the Ligue 1 title yet again, the fans with PSG tickets are constantly stressed about the new season.
But coach Luis Enrique assured the club will thrive as it hunts for the new star signing. Enrique has stressed signing young talent for the club in a bid to grow alongside the structure instead of an established player.
Here’s the Latest on the Signings!
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli)
As a replacement for Kylian Mbappé, PSG’s head coach, Luis Enrique, will be prioritizing young forwards in the 2024-25 summer transfer window. Still in his early 20s, Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has emerged as the frontrunner in the race to become PSG’s new first-choice winger.
Ever since he arrived at the Naples-based outfit in 2022, the Georgian has impressed fans and experts alike with his exploits on the field. With 12 goals in 2022-23, he was instrumental in Napoli’s unexpected Serie A title win. The winger continued his fine run of form, finding the back of the net on 11 occasions in 2023-24.
With the 2023-24 domestic football season in its twilight, teams have already started planning for the following year. Kvaratskhelia has been on the radar of several European football juggernauts for some time. Clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, and FC Barcelona have shown active interest in pursuing the youngster.
However, Qatar Sports Investments’ backing means that PSG has an advantage over the rest when it comes to splurging cash on a player. In such dire times, Enrique will be hoping to convince the owners to pursue Kvaratskhelia with lucrative financial benefits. The Paris-based club will find a bankable forward in the Georgian if the deal goes through.
Napoli Says Not For Sale
The replacement of Khvicha looked to be a perfect fit for the Mbappe tale as another young prodigy taking the spot in Paris. Those with PSG tickets said this was the ideal fit, but Napoli has closed any possible deal.
Napoli released a furious statement refusing to sell winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after the Georgia international’s agent and father publicly insisted he wanted to leave.
Kvaratskhelia, 23, dazzled on Napoli’s route to the 2022/23 Serie A title but, despite a return of 11 goals and eight assists, was powerless to prevent the team from falling to a shocking 10th-placed finish last season.
Napoli’s decline has sparked serious uncertainty about Kvaratskhelia’s future in Napoli. Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain have been credited with interest in the 23-year-old, whose agent and father have urged Napoli to listen to offers.
In a frustrated response to the comments, Napoli wrote on social media: “About the statements of Kvaratskhelia’s agent, Mamuka Jugeli, and his father Badri, Napoli reiterates that the player has a contract for another three years with the club.
“Kvaratskhelia is not on the market. It is not the agents or fathers who decide the future of a player under contract with Napoli but the Napoli club!!! End of the story.”
Unfortunately, PSG will need to look elsewhere for a replacement.
As noted by Fabrizio Romano, Napoli have already submitted an offer to extend Kvaratskhelia’s contract to try and convince him to snub interest from PSG, who see the winger as a potential replacement for Kylian Mbappe.
Michael Olise (Crystal Palace)
Having already represented France at the under-18 and under-21 levels, Michael Olise has an idea of French footballing culture. Those with PSG tickets believe that he might fit the bill perfectly as Kylian Mbappé’s replacement at PSG.
Olise was one of the brightest prospects of the EFL Championship before moving to Premier League club Crystal Palace in 2021. The first two seasons have been rough for the youngster, who scored only twice in 63 league appearances. However, he has flourished in the 2023-24 season — in 18 matches, he has scored ten goals.
PSG will have their task cut out if they plan to pursue Olise in the 2024-25 summer transfer window. Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Manchester United are in the race to sign this young prodigy. However, with a release clause of around USD 75 million, Luis Enrique might secure Olise’s services at a bargain.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
If stardom is their driving mantra for selecting Mbappé’s replacement, it will be hard to look past Victor Osimhen.
Napoli’s talismanic striker has been rampaging in the Serie A for the past few seasons. Let us look at his stats for a minute:
- 2020-21: 10 goals in 24 matches
- 2021-22: 14 goals in 27 matches
- 2022-23: 26 goals in 32 matches
- 2023-24: 15 goals in 23 matches
The Nigerian, scoring goals for fun in Italy, is linked to club football behemoths such as Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea for a potential move. Premier League’s status as one of the most glamourous competitions in European football might play a role in Osimhen snubbing PSG for an offer in England.
However, Luis Enrique has an abundance of monetary resources at his disposal. As such, the Spanish coach might convince PSG’s board of directors to offer a ridiculous sum to Napoli and secure Osimhen’s services.
Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
One of the most sought-after English youngsters, Marcus Rashford, has been far from his best in the 2023-24 season. While he scored 30 goals in 50 appearances for Manchester United in 2022-23, he failed to replicate similar success.
In 40 matches across all competitions, he has netted the ball in the goal eight times.
Following the club’s acquisition by Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United is believed to be on course for a significant overhaul in the 2024-25 summer transfer window. Several transfer market pundits believe that only three players from the current squad — Rasmus Højlund, Alejandro Garnacho, and Kobbie Mainoo — will not be on sale.
However, Erik ten Hag has reportedly put rumours about Bruno Fernandes’s move to rest. “I can guarantee he is happy to be here,” the Manchester United boss said.
Whatever the case, no one from the Premier League club has dismissed theories about Rashford’s departure at the end of the 2023-24 season. His inconsistency might mean that the English forward is on his way out of Old Trafford.
In the past, PSG has shown interest in signing Rashford, especially after he knocked them out of the UEFA Champions League in 2018-19 that fans with PSG tickets clearly remember.
Even though he is not in the same league as Kylian Mbappé, Rashford may not be the Frenchman’s most unlikely replacement in the PSG squad.
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